Antonio Gates: Latest Updates on His Status for Thursday Night Football

Antonio Gates is doubtful for the San Diego Chargers Thursday night football game against the San Francisco 49ers. 

Gates is nursing the foot injury that caused him to miss last week's win over Kansas City and forced him out of Chargers victories in Weeks 9 and 11. According to ESPN.com's Bill Williamson, Gates said Sunday that in order for Gates to be ready this week, he admitted that he would have needed to get on the practice field. He hasn't practiced the last three days. 

Randy McMichael is the likely replacement for the highly-productive Gates, who has 50 catches for 782 yards and 10 touchdowns this season despite the three games missed. McMichael caught a pair of touchdown passes in San Diego's Week 9 win over Houston, which Gates sat out. 

The key to Gates getting healthy, according to ESPN.com's Stephania Bell, is him sitting out this week.

On the surface, Gates' absence may seem like a certain blow to the high-powered Chargers offense. But Philip Rivers and Co. have thrived despite Gates' missed time already.

The emergence of Mike Tolbert in the San Diego backfield provides a bit of added comfort for the Chargers in Gates' absence. Tolbert has pounded his way to 691 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. In a season marred with the injury to Gates and the holdout of star wide receiver Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd has picked up much of the slack. Floyd has six touchdowns and 660 yards receiving this season. 

All of the Chargers offensive injuries, aside, it's all about defense for San Diego, which boasts the league's top-rated defensive unit in the NFL. Allowing the lowest number of passing yards per game in the league, the Chargers pass defense is sure to wreak havoc on 49ers quarterback Alex Smith. 

San Diego's defensive prowess is enough to overcome nearly any injury, including one to perhaps the best receiving tight end in NFL history. 

The Chargers are certainly interested in having Gates available in the final two weeks of the regular season and in a potential postseason run.